Guzmania plant named &#39;Deplatima&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct Guzmania plant named ‘Deplatima’ characterized by its big inflorescence size, red inflorescence color, wide leaves and upright growth habit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofGuzmania plant, hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name‘Deplatima’. The genus Guzmania is a member of the family Bromeliaceae.

[0002] Guzmania comprise a genus of over 100 species of herbaceousevergreen perennials suitable for cultivation in the home or underglass. Guzmania are predominantly epiphytic with a few terrestrialspecies and are native to the tropics. For the most part the speciesvary in diameter from 7 or 8 inches to 3 or 4 feet and have rosettes ofglossy, smooth edged leaves.

[0003] Floral bracts of Guzmania frequently have brilliant colors andmay last for many months. The range of flower colors for Guzmania isgenerally from the yellow through orange but may also include flame redand red-purple. White or yellow, tubular, three petalled flowers mayalso appear on a stem or within the leaf rosette but are usually shortlived.

[0004] Guzmania may be advantageously grown as potted plants forgreenhouse or home use. Desirably the plants are shaded from directsunlight during the spring to autumn period, the central vase-like partof the leaf rosette is normally filled with water.

[0005] Guzmania is native to tropical America. Leaves of the Guzmaniaare usually formed as basal rosettes which are stiff and entire and inseveral vertical ranks. Guzmania have terminal spikes or panicles whichare often bracted with petals united in a tube about as long as thecalyx.

[0006] Asexual propagation of Guzmania is frequently done through theuse of tissue culture practices. Propagation can also be from off-shootswhich are detached from the mother plant, and may be grown in anappropriate soil or bark mixture.

[0007] The new cultivar ‘Deplatima’ is the product of a planned breedingprogram and was originated by the inventor Ronald Bunnik, from a crossmade during such program in 1992, in Pijnacker, The Netherlands. Thefemale and male parents are unknown Guzmania varieties. The selectioncomprising the new variety was chosen after commencement of flowering in1993.

[0008] The new cultivar was asexually propagated by tissue culture inNovember 1995, by Kwekerij Sidaco BV in Nootdorp, The Netherlands.Continuous asexual propagation has demonstrated that the combination ofcharacteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar ‘Deplatima’ arefirmly fixed, reproduce true to type and are retained through successivegenerations of asexual reproduction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The following traits have been repeatedly observed and aredetermined to be basic characteristics of ‘Deplatima’ which incombination distinguish this Guzmania as a new and distinct cultivar:

[0010] 1. big inflorescense size;

[0011] 2. red inflorescence color;

[0012] 3. wide leaves; and

[0013] 4. upright growth habit.

[0014] ‘Deplatima’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may varysignificantly with variations in environment such as temperature, lightintensity, and day length without any change in genotype.

[0015] Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor,the most similar in comparison to ‘Deplatima’ is the cultivar ‘TuttiFrutti’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,717). In comparison to ‘Tutti Frutti’,the inflorescence of ‘Deplatima’ is smaller, much redder and is flatterand shorter. The leaves of ‘Deplatima’ are wider than the leaves of‘Tutti Frutti’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The first accompanying photographic illustration shows a19-month-old ‘Deplatima’ plant following growth under appropriategrowing conditions, with colors being as true as possible withillustrations of this type. The second drawing is a side view of theinflorescence and foliage characteristics of ‘Deplatima’ grown from an19 months old plant in a 11 cm pot.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

[0017] The following observations, measurements and values describeplants grown in Evergem, Belgium, under greenhouse conditions whichclosely approximate those generally used in horticultural practice.

[0018] ‘Deplatima’ is grown in a commercial greenhouse under 21 degreesCelsius day and night. No artificial lighting or photoperiodictreatments are conducted but ‘Deplatima’ is forced into flowering byadding acethylene. Highest temperature resistance is 40 degrees Celsius,the lowest 5 degrees Celsius. Direct sunlight has to be avoided becauseit causes burning of the leaves. The following fertilizer is added: 1part nitrogen, 0.5 parts phosphor. 3 parts Kalium and 0.2 partsMagnesium. Water should not contain to much salts. From the start oftissue culture it takes five years to produce a commercial plant. Theamount of time needed to produce a flower depends on the amount ofacethylene is added. The flowers have a tenability of up to six monthsdepending on the environment they are grown and kept in.

[0019] Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural SocietyColour Chart (RHS), except where general colors of ordinary significanceare used.

[0020] Classification:

[0021]Commercial.—Guzmania c.v. ‘Deplatima’.

[0022] Parentage:

[0023]Male Parent.—Unknown parentage.

[0024]Female Parent.—Unknown parentage.

[0025] Propagation: Tissue culture

[0026] Plant:

[0027]Form.—Upright, leaves in basal rosette.

[0028]Height.—Average 40 cm.

[0029]Diameter.—Average 70 cm.

[0030]Growth Habit.—Upright, growth moderate.

[0031] Folliage:

[0032]Size.—Leaves have an average length of 41 cm and an average widthof 5.5 cm (measured at the middle of a leaf).

[0033]Shape.—Broad linear, tips acute.

[0034]Surface Texture.—Smooth, glossy.

[0035]Color.—Leaf color upper side: dark green to dark yellow-green; inbetween RHS 139A and RHS 147A, but slightly darker. Leaf color underside yellow-green, RHS 147A, young leaves dark greyed-purple atunderside, RHS 186C; older leaves sometimes striped greyed-purple at thebase as well, between RHS 187B and RHS 187C.

[0036] Bracts:

[0037]Length/Width/Color.—Length average 11 cm; width average 4.7 cm(measured at ⅓ from the base). Color upper side red; RHS 53B to betweenRHS 44B and RHS 44C on top bracts. Color under side red, between RHS 53Band RHS 53C, lighter towards the top.

[0038]General shape/Arrangement.—Broad lanceolate, arranged alternately,tips not bended downwards but horizontally in an average angle of 0°(=horizontal).

[0039]Number.—Terminal Bracts: Average 9 Primary Bracts: Average 10Scape Bracts: Average 10.

[0040]Texture.—Smooth, scape and primary bracts glossy, terminal bractsnot glossy, however, not a very “dull” appearance.

[0041]Margin.—Entire.

[0042]Scape.—Length average 20 cm; width average: 1.5 cm (measuredapproximately ⅓ from the base of the primary bracts).

[0043] Branch spikes: Spikes (scapes) unbranched

[0044] Inflorescence:

[0045]Borne.—Solitary placed flowers vertical, tops approximately 3 cmfrom top of bract, only very few inflorescences appear.

[0046]Individual flowers.—Average length 2.5 cm, average width 0.5 cmCalyx: Average length 2.5 cm, white in color, RHS 151D. Corolla: Averagelength 1 cm, yellow in color, RHS 12A

[0047]Time of blooming.—Summer.

[0048]Duration of Inflorescence.—More than one month.

[0049] Reproductive organs:

[0050]Ovary.—Ovate, average length 6 mm, average width 3.5 mm, lightyellow-green in color, RHS 150D to green-white, RHS 157A. Ovary ribbedaxially (undeep), due to three locules.

[0051]Style.—Average length 5 mm, light yellow-green in color, RHS 150D,stigma not deeply cleft in two parts, approximately 0.5 mm long.

[0052]Stamens.—Average 6, basifixed, shaped narrow sagittate, averagelength 6 mm, average width 1 mm, color green-white; RHS 157A.

[0053] Roots: Thin, very well-branched, strong to moderately strong,color greyed-orange; RHS 165A

[0054] Seed Characteristics: No fruits or seeds observed to date

[0055] Pest/Disease Resistance/Susceptibility: No observations to date

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct Guzmania plant named ‘Deplatima’,substantially as illustrated and described herein.